Collapsible carton



May 10, 1955 w. H. INMAN COLLAPSIBLE CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug.25, 1952' IN V EN TOR. WILL [AM If. [NMAN HIS ATTORNEY 7 May 10, 1955 w.H. mM AN 2,708,065

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Filed Aug. 25, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

IN VEN TOR. WILLIAM H. INMAN HIS ATTORNEY United COLLAPSHELE CARTONWilliam H. Iranian, Newark, N. Y., assignor to Bloomer Bros. Company,Newark, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 25, 1952,Serial No. 366,128

6 Claims. (Cl. 229-33) This invention relates to cartons and trays, andmore particularly to collapsible cardboard cartons and trays of thevariety used for packaging fruits and vegetables and the like, oneobject being to provide an improved carton of the above character havinga simpler and more eco nomical construction.

Another object is to provide a carton of the above character capable ofbeing readily collapsed to fiat condition for shipping and storage, andquickly erected for filling.

Another object is to provide a carton of the above character which maybe readily swung from its fiat condition to erected position by merelyapplying pressure at its opposite corners.

Still another object is to provide a carton having the above advantagesand including self-erecting end closures which are completely folded andglued by the manufacturer and which automatically swing to erectedposition closing the ends of the carton as the carton is erected.

Still a further object is to afford a carton having the above advantagesin a form capable of being readily manufactured in quantity lots, byknown machines and at relatively low cost.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

in the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a cardboard blank for forming the carton;

Fig. 2 is a similar View with end-closure flap portions folded over andglue applied;

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the blank as seen from the right in Fig. 2,but with the outer wall portions partly folded over toward gluedpositions;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the parts glued togetherand the carton in collapsed position;

Figs. 5 and 6 are end elevations of the carton in progressive positionsof erection for filling;

Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the carton in progressivepositions of erection for filling;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the carton fully erected with the coverin open position, and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but showing the cover in closedposition.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, herein disclosed byway of illustration, is preferably made of a one-piece cardboard blanksuch as shown generally at 19 in Fig. l of the drawings, cut and scoredto form a plurality of side walls 21, 23, and a closure wall 27,respectively, separated by parallel scored fold lines 29, 31 and 33, asshown. Closure wall 27 carries a securing strip 35 foldably connectedtherewith along a scored fold line 37 and adapted to be folded over fordetachably closing the carton when the same is erected, as hereafterdescribed.

Walls 21, 23 and 25, inclusive, which may be designated as front,bottom, and back walls, respectively, are

2,703,055 Patented May 10, 1955 provided at each end thereof with aseries of end-closure flaps shown generally at 39, 41 and 43,respectively, which are foldably connected therewith along parallelscore lines 45. Flaps 39 and 4-3 are provided with diagonally-extendingscore lines 47 and 49, respectively, which separate each of said flapsinto two sections as 51 and 53 and 55 and 57, respectively, as shown inFig. 1, so that each flap may be folded 011 itself and rolded over therespective side wall on which it is foidably connected, as hereafterfurther described.

Flaps 39 each carry a relatively narrow flange 59 fold ably connectedtherewith along a score line 61. Flanges 5? each have a narrow flange 63foldably connected therewith along a fold line 65 which extends atsubstantially right angles to fold line 61 as shown in Fig. 1.

The outer free edges of flaps 39 and 43 have the irregular shape shownin the drawings, including notches 67 and 69, respectively, forengagement with each other in the erected position as hereafterdescribed. Flaps 41 which are foldably connected to side wall 23' aresubstantially rectangular, as shown, and are substantially of the samesize and shape as the inside of the ends of the carton when in erectedposition, so as to completely cover the same, as hereafter described.Flaps ii are each crossed with a diagonally-extending fold line 71 (Fig.l) to enable them to bend more flexibly while in contact with back wall25 during the erection of the carton as hereafter described.

in the folding and gluing of the blank, as shown in Fig. 2, flaps 4-1are folded over side wall 23, end-closure flaps 39 are folded onthemselves and folded inwardly over wall 21 and flaps 41, and flanges 55and 63 are folded inwardly over the folded flaps 39 and 41 as shown.Flaps 43 are folded on themselves and over wall 25 as shown in Fig. 2.in this position of the parts glue is applied to a restricted area 73 offlaps 43 and to substantially the entire upper surface of flanges 63 asat 75, as shown in Fig. 2.

In the further folding and gluing of the blank, rear wall 25 with theinwardly-folded flaps 43, and closure wall 27, are folded over bottomwall 23 and front wall 21, about score line 31, as shown in Fig. 3,flaps 39 being folded inwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Flanges 59 are raisedslightly and flanges 63 inserted between the inner surface of back wall25 and flap portions 57 as shown in Fig. 3. This brings the gluedportions 75 of flanges 63 into glued cohesion with the inner surface ofwall 25 and brings the glued areas 73 of flap portions '55 into gluedcohesion with flaps 41 thereby completing the folding and gluing of thecarton in the compact collapsed position shown in Fig. 4 and readyingthe carton for storage and shipment.

When it is desired to erect the carton for filling, this is quicklyaccomplished by an inward pressure against the opposite folded edgesshown generally at 77 and 79 in Fig. 4, which serves to separate anddistend the side walls in the progressive manner shown in Figs. 5 and 6,as viewed from the end of the container and in Figs. 7 and 8 as viewedfrom the top of the container.

The separation of rear wall 25 from side wall 23 tends to pull theinwardly-folded flaps 43 and inner end flaps 4]; to erected position,and through flanges 63 and 59 pulls inwardly-folded flaps 39 towarderected position. In such movement a portion of the edge of flap 43rides under a portion of the edge of flap 39, as shown in Fig. 5, withthe result that the opposing edges move along one another in crossingrelation and are finally interengaged in notches 67 and 69, as shown inFig. 6. Such an arrangement tends to limit the erecting movement withthese inwardly-folded flaps in a position normal to the walls of thecarton. The erecting movement is further limited by the engagement ofinner-end flaps 41 with the inside of flaps 39. The end flaps arequickly snapped to such erected position by merely pressing on theopposite corners 77 and 79 of the carton, as stated, leaving closureflaps 27 and 35 in open position to receive the contents.

The carton, resting on bottom wall 23, is then filled and closure fiap27 folded down across the top of the carton and fiap 35 is folded alongline 37 at substantially right angles to flap 27 and is inserted betweenthe free ends of flanges 59 and the inner surface of front wall 21 asshown in Fig. 10. There is sufiicient friction between flanges 59 andfront wall 21 so as to securely hold the cover in closed position, butif desired a sealing tape or paper label may be placed on cover 27 andfront wall 21, for sealing the same, as well understood in the art. Inaddition, flange 35 may be adhesively secured to the outer surface offront 21 instead of being inserted inside thereof. In either case, thecarton is opened by breaking the detachable connection between the coverand front of the carton.

If desired, closure flaps 27 and 35 may be omitted and glued in the samemanner as before and will readily assume the position shown in Fig. 4thereby requiring minimum shipping and storage space. The carton or trayis again set up in the same manner by inward pressure at corners 77 and79 and, after filling, may be covered with a suitable cellophane orplastic covering or, if desired, may be left uncovered.

Thus it will be seen that the above invention provides a novel carton ortray which may be readily formed from a one-piece blank of stock andcompletely folded and glued by the manufacturer. The cartons or traysmay be shipped in compact, flat position to the purchaser. The purchasermay quickly set up the cartons by merely applying pressure at theopposite corners of the collapsed carton and is not required toseparately fold or glue any of the end-closure llaps, but rather the endclosures are completely formed by the manufacturer and automaticallyspring into erected position upon the erection of the side walls asabove. If a cover or closure wall is provided, the carton may be readilyclosed by tucking flap 35 inside front wall 21, or by a glued or tapedconnection, depending upon the use to which the carton is put.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and,while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of apreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure isintended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it iscontemplated that various modifications in the construction andarrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art,within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible carton having self-erecting end closures comprising aone-piece blank cut, scored and folded to form foldably-connected front,bottom and back walls, said front and back walls each having anend-closure flap foldably connected therewith at each end thereof, eachof said end-closure fiaps being formed with a fold line extendingdiagonally inwardly from a corner of the carton, said fold lines in saidflaps being substantially parallel to each other and said flaps beingadapted to fold inwardly at said fold lines between the walls when theback and bottom walls are collapsed toward each other, an end-closureflap foldably connected to each of the opposite ends of the bottom walland each having a glued connection with the inner surface of one of saide inwardly folding flaps, the others of said inwardly folding flaps eachhaving a flange extending foldably inwardly between the front and backwalls and glued to the opposite one of said front and back walls, saidendclosure flaps being moved to erected position substan- 4 tiallynormal to said front, bottom and back walls by erecting movement of saidwalls.

2. A collapsible carton comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored andfolded to form foldably-connected front, bottom and back walls and aclosure wall, said front and back walls each having an end-closure flapfoldably connected therewith at each end thereof, each of saidendclosure flaps being formed with a fold line extending diagonallyinwardly from a corner of the carton, said fold lines in said flapsbeing substantially parallel to each other and said flaps being adaptedto fold inwardly at said fold lines between the walls when the back andbottom walls are collapsed toward each other, an end-closure flapfoldably connected to each of the opposite ends of the bottom wall andeach having a. glued connection with the inner surface of one of saidinwardly folding llaps, the others of said inwardly folding flaps eachhaving a llange extending foldably inwardly between the front and backwalls and glued to the opposite one of said front and back walls, saidend-closure flaps being moved to erected position substantially normalto said front, bottom and back walls by erecting movement of said walls,said closure wall being foldably connected to one of said front and backwalls and detachably connected to the other of said front and back wallsfor securing said closure wall in a closed position and completing theclosure of said carton, and said closure wall being detachable from saidother of said front and back walls and movable to open position toexpose the carton contents with the carton in erected condition.

3. A collapsible carton comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored andfolded to form foldably-connected front, bottom and back walls, saidfront and back walls each having an end-closure flap foldably connectedtherewith at each end thereof, each of said end-closure flaps beingformed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner ofthe carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallelto each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said foldlines between the walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed, anend-closure fiap foldably connected to each of the 0pposite ends of thebottom wall and each having a glued connection with the inner surface ofone of said inwardly folding flaps, the others of said inwardly foldingfiaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardly between the frontand back walls and glued to the opposite one of said front and backwalls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erected positionsubstantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls by erectingmovement thereof, said inwardly-folding liaps having notched edges forengagement with each other to locate the same in erected position.

4. A collapsible carton comprising a one'piece blank cut, scored andfolded to form foldably connected front, bottom and back walls, saidfront and back walls each having an end-closure fiap foldably connectedtherewith at each end thereof, each of said end-closure flaps beingformed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner ofthe carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallelto each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said foldlines between the Walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed, anend-closure flap foldably connected to each of the opposite ends of thebottom wall and each having a glued connection with the inner surface ofone of said inwardly J folding flaps, said closure flaps of said bottomwall having substantially the size and shape of the respective insideend of said carton and adapted to cover the same, the others of saidinwardly folding flaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardlybetween the front and back Walls and glued to the opposite one of saidfront and back walls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erectedposition substantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls byerecting movement of said walls.

5. A collapsible carton comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored andfolded to form foldably connected front,

bottom and back walls and a closure wall, said front and back walls eachhaving an end-closure flap fold-ably connected therewith at each endthereof, each of said endclosure flaps being formed with a fold lineextending diagonally inwardly from a corner of the carton, said foldlines in said flaps being substantially parallel to each other and saidflaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said fold lines between thewalls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed, an end closure flapfoldably connected to each of the opposite ends of the bottom wall andeach having a glued connection with the inner surface of one of saidinwardly folding flaps, said closure flaps of said bottom wall havingsubstantially the size and shape of the respective inside end of saidcarton and adapted to cover the same, the others of said inwardlyfolding flaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardly betweenthe front and back walls and glued to the opposite one of said front andback walls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erected positionsubstantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls by erectingmovement of said walls, said closure wall being foldably connected toone of said front and back walls and detachably connected to the otherof said front and back walls for securing said closure wall in a closedposition and completing the closure of said carton, and said closurewall being detachable from said other of said front and back walls andmovable to open position to expose the carton contents with the cartonin erected condition.

6. A collapsible carton comprising a one-piece blank cut, scored andfolded to form foldably connected front, bottom and back walls, saidfront and back walls each having an end-closure flap foldably connectedtherewith at each end thereof, each of said end-closure flaps beingformed with a fold line extending diagonally inwardly from a corner ofthe carton, said fold lines in said flaps being substantially parallelto each other and said flaps being adapted to fold inwardly at said foldlines between the walls when the back and bottom walls are collapsed, anend-closure flap foldably connected to each of the opposits ends of thebottom wall and each having a glued connection with the inner surface ofone of said inwardly folding flaps, said closure flaps of said bottomwall having substantially the size and shape of the respective insideend of said carton and adapted to cover the same, the others of saidinwardly folding flaps each having a flange extending foldably inwardlybetween the front and back walls and glued to the opposite one of saidfront and back walls, said end-closure flaps being moved to erectedposition substantially normal to said front, bottom and back walls byerecting movement of said walls, said inwardly folding flaps havingnotched edges for engagement with each other to locate same in erectedposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS2,265,279 Graf Dec. 9, 1941 2,357,009 Klein Aug. 29, 1944 2,383,190Smart Oct. 30, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 660,484 Great Britain Nov. 7, 1951

